CHICO -- A high volume of calls from several areas in town reported a noise described as a "loud explosion" to authorities Saturday night, prompting police to make an extensive area check with little results.

The calls began around 10:27 p.m. with reports of hearing the sound coming from the area west of 7th Avenue and The Esplanade, said Sgt. Curtis Prosise of the Chico Police Department.

Community members quickly took to social media — primarily Twitter and Facebook — following the disturbance with speculations of gun shots, thunder, fireworks and vandalism.

Other citizens reported that they saw a white flash and heard car alarms go off shortly after the loud noise.

After giving up the search for the noise's source, police were dispatched — four hours later — to an apartment complex on the 1200 block of West Fifth Street on reports from a security guard who located "what he thought were two dry ice bombs," Prosise said.

The Butte County Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team (EOD), commonly known as "the bomb squad," was dispatched to the scene at 2:07 a.m.

"They took care of the two unknown explosive devices and rendered them safe," he said.

As of deadline, EOD was unavailable for comment.

Police are still investigating and ask the community to contact the Chico Police Department if they have any information, 897-4900.

Staff Writer Christina Rafael can be reached at 896-7761 or crafael@chicoer.com. You can also follow her on Twitter @christinarafae1.